South Korea arrests four over massive home camera hack
Police said the suspects took advantage of security weaknesses in Internet Protocol (IP) cameras, including weak or easily guessed passwords. Often installed for home security or monitoring children and pets, these cameras are a lower-cost alternative to traditional CCTV systems.
Reportedly, compromised devices included private residences, karaoke rooms, a Pilates studio, and even a gynecologist’s clinic. Officials noted that the four suspects acted independently, without collaborating with one another.
According to authorities, one suspect accessed 63,000 cameras and created 545 videos, which were sold for 35 million won ($12,235; £9,250) in virtual assets. Another individual reportedly hacked 70,000 cameras and sold 648 videos for 18 million won in digital currency. Together, these two were responsible for roughly 62% of the content posted on the illicit website over the past year.
Police are now working to shut down the website and are coordinating with international agencies to investigate its operators. Additionally, three people who allegedly purchased or viewed material on the site have been arrested.
"IP camera hacking and illegal filming inflict immense suffering on victims and are therefore serious offences. We will eradicate them through vigorous investigations," said Park Woo-hyun, a cyber investigation chief at the National Police Agency. "Viewing and possessing illegally filmed videos are also serious crimes, so we will actively investigate them."
Authorities have contacted or visited victims at 58 locations, providing guidance on changing passwords and helping them remove and block content. Efforts are ongoing to identify other potential victims.
The National Police Agency stressed the importance of personal vigilance, urging users with home or business IP cameras to "remain vigilant and immediately and regularly change their access passwords."
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